Process of deodorizing using biphenyl



United States Patent 3,413,218 PROCESS OF DEODORIZING USING BIPHENYL Ben Frank Miller Einsel, Joplin, Mo., assignor of onethird each to Johney Cockburn, Lampasas, and Wilton E. Scott, Houston, Tex.

No Drawing. Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 312,312, Sept. 30, 1963. This application Oct. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 498,080

13 Claims. (Cl. 21018) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A process of deodorizing odor producing material such as sewage or fats during rendering operations which includes adding to the odor producing material as a novel deodorizer, biphenyl in amounts of at least 0.5 part per million of the material.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 312,312, filed Sept. 30, 1963,

. now abandoned.

This invention relates to a process for deodorizing. More particularly this invention relates to a method of deodorizing odor-producing materials, such as fats being rendered or otherwise treated, or sewage, and also odorproducing materials which exist in the atmosphere.

The art is replete with compositions, methods and devices for deodorizing any of the various odors which frequently occur. A number of such existing odors at times have been become acceptable, as the public has become accustomed to their existence; however, other frequently noticeable odors are those to which one can not become easily accustomed, such as the odors that may exist in a tavern due to stale or spoiled beer; in a milk parlor having rancid milk; in conference rooms and the like with heavy tobacco smoke; in locker rooms filled with body odors; in hospitals where there are many disease odors such as those of cancer; in pet shops; lavatories; kitchens, etc. In addition to these specific locations, the plants which render animal fats are often besieged by those in the vinicity, due to the foul smelling operation inherent in any fat rendering process. Further, raw sewage which frequently is exposed to the atmosphere produces oifensive odors.

To date noknown method, device or composition is available to the art to economically dispose of the odors such as those mentioned above or similar offensive odors. Many attempts at deodorizing actually merely mask the odor without disposing of the odor. This susbtitution of one odor for another is not acceptable to many, and accordingly, the arts has sought an inexpensive, simple method, device or composition which can destroy com mon odors without merely substituting a stronger odor for the Weaker one.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a method and composition for deodorizing common odors in an effective and economical manner.

This invention also has as an object destroying odors in r 3,413,218 Patented Nov. 26, 1968 the atmopshere substantially without regard to the type or origin of the odor.

Another and more specific object of the present invention is to provide a method and composition for destroy ing odors from sewage and fats, oils, greases, proteins and carbohydrates which are odor producers or which may be converted into odor producers during the process of decay and/or putrefaction, and/or in the process of being rendered or otherwise treated.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discription.

The essence of the present invention resides in the discovery that biphenyl alone is an effective deodorizer. Generally, biphenyl when present in amounts ranging from 0.5 to 15 parts per million effectively deodorizes the environment in which it is placed. Under certain circumstances, a concentration of biphenyl as high as 2,000 parts per million can be employed to accomplish the intended purpose.

It has also been found that biphenyl can conveniently be employed with a compounding agent such as an emulsifier or solvent, depending, of course, on the final physical form of the product desired or on the environment in which the final product is placed. It will also be recognized that the compounding agent can function as both an emulsifier and a solvent, depending on the particular choice of material as the compounding agent.

Biphenyl is well known and has been principally used as a citrus fruit preserver, a dye carrier, a stripping agent for various dyes, a raw material for various compounds, and as :a mildew preventive. None of these uses suggests or even relates to the use of biphenyl alone as a deodorizer. It has been found, however, that the use of a biphenyl provides deodorization in the atmosphere if a minimum of 0.5 part per million is present in the atmosphere. Normally, it is preferred that a one part per million minimum be used. Under usual circumstances it has also been found that a maximum of approximately 15 parts per million effectively produces deodorization although higher concentrations of biphenyl can be utilized without harmful effects if the conditions and the odor in the atmosphere require such higher concentrations.

As an example of this deodorization, the atmosphere in a room 6.1 x 6.1 x 3.05 meters, having a volume of 113,490 liters, in which there was produced a concentration of gaseous biphenyl in the air of 1.207 micrognams per liter of air, resulted in complete loss of any odor and was unique in that there was an absence of any detectable odor. The above concentration was obtained by induced evaponation and/or sublimation of the normal solid bi phenyl. Thus, concentrations greater than about 1.2 micrograms of biphenyl per liter can be said to remove obnoxious odors from the atmosphere.

The theory of the method by which biphenyl operates to etfect deodorization is not precisely clear; however, without being bound to a particular theory, it is believed that the biphenyl reacts with the odor-producing material in the atmosphere to produce a non-odor-producing material.

Biphenyl also has been found to be advantageously employed to deodorize liquid odor-producing material,

such as sewage or fats which are sold or in the process of being rendered or otherwise treated.

In both cases, and also with respect to other liquid odor-producing materials, the atmosphere is filled with odors from these liquid materials. While biphenyl has been found to be advantageously and surprisingly effective in deodorizing the atmosphere containing these odors, it has also been found to be advantageously and surprisingly effective in deodorizing the source of the odors. Accordingly, it has been discovered that biphenyl is particularly effective if added directly to the liquid or solids producing the odors. The concentration of biphenyl employed can range between 0.5 to 15 parts per million and up to 5,000 parts per million if desired with one to 3 /2 parts per million being suitable in a great number of instances. For instance, parts per million biphenyl in a hot vat of rendering animal fats substantially eliminates the odors from the fats.

In order to facilitate the incorporation or admixture of the biphenyl with the odor-producing material, it has been found desirable to form a deodorizing composition comprising biphenyl and a compounding agent. The compounding agent can be an emulsifier, a solvent or a material which can function as both. Generally, biphenyl will be present in the deodorizing composition in amounts ranging from 0.1 to 99.9% 'by weight of the total composition, the remainder being the compounding agent.

The emulsifier can be any one of numerous common types, such as the nonyl-phenol ethylene oxide or alkyl aryl polyoxyethylene ether, alkyl aryl polyether alcohol, sulfonates and/or sulfates, sulfonated solubilized oils in white mineral oil, and partially hydrogenated terphenyl. The amount of the emulsifier can vary considerably un der various circumstances, but when used generally, it is present in amounts ranging between l35% by weight of the total mixture, with about 8 to preferred. An emulsifier is generally employed when the biphenyl is to be added in the treatment of sewage or in similar applications, particularly those involving aqueous solutions or dispersions. However, it is possible to omit an emulsifier in certain instances such as when fats are being rendered although it will be recognized that it can be used even in this situation if desired.

The solvents which are usable are numerous, since biphenyl is soluble in a number of organic solvents. Some of the more common that can be used are the hydrocarbons, such as mineral spirits, kerosene, benzene, xylene, turpentine, and toluene; ethers, such as ethyl ether and Cellosolve acetate; ether alcohol, such as Cellosolve and Carbitol; esters, such as methyl, ethyl, butyl and amyl acetate, ethyl lactate, diethyl phthalate and tricresyl phosphate; chloro derivatives, such as chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, ethylene dichloride, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethane, monochlorobenzene, and orthene; ketone, such as acetone; amines, such as aniline and pyridine, and others, such as nitro'benzene and carbon disulfide. These are best representative of the many solvents that can be employed. The amount of solvent can vary between 0.1 and 99.9% of the total weight of the composition.

Representative materials which function both as an emulsifier and a solvent for biphenyl include carbowax and when employed with the biphenyl the concentration of such material generally ranges between 0.1 to 99.9 weight percent of the total composition.

It has also been found that in addition to a compounding agent, as defined herein'before, the deodorizing composition can include a propellant, for instance, a fluorohydrocarbon when an aerosol product is desired. Thus, a propellant such as chlorotrifluoromethane, tetrafluoromethane, chlorodifiuoromethane or dichlorodifluoromethane can be employed. Other propellants can also be utilized. Ordinarily, the propellant will be present in amounts ranging from 1% to 99%, preferably, about 60%.

4 Typical compositions are as follows:

EXAMPLE I Percent Xylene (solvent) 58.7 Sterox NJ (emulsifier) 8.0 Biphenyl 33.3

Sterox NJ'--M0nsanto Chemical C0,, St. Louis, Mo., nonylphenol ethylene oxide or alkyl aryl polyoxyetllylene ether.

A similar formulation is elfective using either benzene or toluene as a solvent.

EXAMPLE II Percent Xylene (solvent) 70.0 Triton X-500 (emulsifier) 6.0

Biphenyl 24.0

Triton X500Rho1n and Haas, Philadelphia, alkyl aryl polyether alcohol sulfonates and/or sulfates.

A similar formulation may be made using either benzene or toluene.

EXAMPLE III Percent Dibutyl phthalate (solvent) 65.0 Triol 230 (emulsifier) 7.0 Biphenyl 28.0

Triol 230Carbide and Carbon, New York, N.Y., sulfonated solubilized oils in white mineral oil.

Similar formulation may be made using either xylene Triton CF10Rh0m and Haas, Philadelphia, alkyl aryl polyether alcohol sulfonates and sulfates.

EXAMPLE V Percent Toluene (solvent) 50.0 HB-40 (emulsifier) 15.0 Biphenyl 35.0

HB40Monsanto, St. Louis, Mo., partially hydrogenated tel-phenyl, percentage LIB-4O may be increased with corresponding reduction in solvent.

For use in deodorizing sewage a composition containing 58.70% xylene, 8.00% emulsifier (Sterox NJ), and 33.30% biphenyl was compared with .a 60% solution of orthodichlorobenzene in an emulsifying agent. The following results were obtained when six samples of undiluted raw sewage were tested:

The six samples, of two liters each, were placed each in one gallon jugs. This allowed room to agitate the samples .after addition of the treatment chemicals. The same amount of agitation was given each sample after addition of the reagents.

To the contents of three jugs was added biphenyl solution in xylene, and to the other three jugs was added orthodichlorobenzene. These reagents were .added in varying amounts and checked for odors present after 30 minutes, one hour and four hours. No more than four hours was allowed to elapse as sewage from the most distant points requires no more than four hours to reach the plant, except for special samples .allowed to age 72 hours before treatment.

Varying amounts of the respective reagents were added, as shown on the accompanying table, with the results, as shown, for each day.

Odor is classified as: present-P, faint-F, none--N.

The following concentrations of the reagent containing biphenyl according to the present invention and the conventional orthodichlorobenzene include the emulsifiers and solvent for biphenyl and are shown in the table as parts per million (p.p.m.) of the solution.

D 1 1101:? Biphenyl, solvent and emulsifier Orthodiehlorobenzene and emulsifier ay e a se me p one Odor Cone. Odor Cone. Odor Cone. Odor Oonc. Odor Cone. Odor 1st 100 N 500 N 1, 000 N 100 N 500 N 1, 000 N 1 111 1 111 1 1111 1 111 1 11 1 1111 1 2nd 100 N 500 N 1: 000 N 100 N 500 N 1: 000 N 1 100 N 500 N 1, 000 N 100 N 500 N 1, 000 N 4 100 N 500 N i, 000 N 100 N 500 N i, 000 N 3rd 11 50 N 100 N 150 N 50 N 100 N 250 N 1 1 1 111 1 11 1 11 1 111 1 1 4th y 11 P 22 F 55 N 28 P 37 P 46 F 1 11 1 1 1 11 1 11 1 11 1 5th 11 P 22 F 34 N 18 P 28 P 37 N 1 11 1 1 11 1 11 1 11 1 11 1 6th $6 11 P 22 F 34 N 18 P 28 F 37 N 1 11 1 1 1 11 1 11 1 11 1 7th 11 F 22 N 34 N is P 23 F 27 N i it 1 3% d 12 13 35 13 1? 8th 11 F 22 N 34 N 18 P 28 F 27 N 1 11 F 22 N 34 N 18 F 28 N 37 N 4 11 N 22 N 34 N 13 N 28 N 37 N Six additional samples were collected and allowed to stand 72 hours in closed jugs before treatment was added, Results were as follows:

D 1 H013? Biphenyl, solvent and emulsifier Orthodichlorobenzene and emulsifier ay 6 a $6 me p Cone. Odor Cone. Odor Cone. Odor Cone. Odor Cone. Odor Cone. Odor 9th 11 F 22 N 34 N 18 P 28 F 37 N 1 11 F 22 N 34 N is F 23 N 37 N 4 11 N 22 N 34 N 18 N 28 N 37 N Regular 1 hr. and 4 hrs. treatment as follows:

10th 7. 3 P F 22 N 18 P 23 F 37 F 1 1 11 1 1 11 1 11 1 11 1 11th m 713 F 15 F 22 N 9 P 18 P 22 F 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 11 1 11 1 12th 713 F 15 F 22 N 9 P 18 P 23 F 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 11 1 11 1 13th 7:3 P 15 N 22 N 9 P 18 N 28 N 1 7.3 F 15 N 22 N 9 P is N 28 N 4 7.3 N 15 N 22 N 9 F 18 N 28 N In the above tests the amount of biphenyl is 33 /3 by EXAMPLE VIII Q E 0f the concelltfatlon. shown. Thus the Farts P A urinal block was prepared having the following commillion present of the pure biphenyl 18 2.4 when 7.3 parts position; per million of the solution is shown in the table. Since Percent weight the pure orthodichlorobenzene is present in the reagent Biphenyl 40 in the amount of 80% by weight, the concentration of 9 Carbowax 60 p.p;m. shown in the table is actually 7.2 p.p.m. of the What is Claim d is. pure active ingredient. Thus it can be seen that less than 1 Th e f d d t l one-third as much biphenyl is necessary compared with e prose? z i 0 2 g i the amount of orthodichlorobenzene to obtain an effec- S essen 0 con E? g tive sewage treatment and to eliminate the odor. i f mg e ssen y 0 f Another use of biphenyl is in the form of a urinal e0 :5, 6mg Present {nlamounts 0 at east Part block when admixed with carbowax and/ or an acid such Per m1 Ion of sald matena; as sulfamic and/or boric acids or other comparable acid Process of i comprlslflg which can be formed into a disc when used with carbo ing to said sewage a deodorizer consist ng essentially of wax, a composition containing 1% to 99% biphenyl the biphenyl, said deodor zer being present in amounts of at remainder being essentially carbowax has proved particuleast P P mllhon g larly effective. In this embodiment of the instant inven- The P F of f -P 'f g q tion, the carbowax functions both as an emulsifier and dllflng renderlng cqmprlslngaddlng t0 $2.1m mateflal being as a Solvent rendered a deodor zer consisting essentially of biphenyl, EXAMPLE VI said deodorizer being present in a concentration of at The treatment of odors associated with rendering plants, least part per g z .sald g the following composition has been found to advantagec 0 .Onzmg 0 epslve f P ousl deodlorize the rendering 0Peration materials consisting essentially of adding to said material y Percent weight a deodorizer consisting essentially of 15 to 50% biphenyl, Bi henyl 01 1 to 35% emulsifier and 35 to 85% solvent based on the Xylene 999 total weight of said deodorizer, said deodorizer being present in amounts sufiicient to provide a concentration of EXAMPLE VII biphenyl in said material of between 0.5 and 5000 parts An aerosol composition was prepared employing a P mllllonconventional propellant such as a fluorohydrocarbon:

Percent Biphenyl 1.2 Isopropyl alcohol 38.8 Chlorotrifluoromethane 60 5. The process of claim 4, wherein the emuslifier is present in amounts of 8l5%.

6. The process of deodorizing offensive atmospheric odors consisting essentially of contacting said odors with a deodorizer consisting essentially of gaseous biphenyl,

said deodorizer being present in a concentration of at least 0.5 part per million of said atmospheric odors.

7. The process of deodorizing the atmosphere consisting essentially of contacting said atmosphere with a deodorizer consisting essentially of gaseous biphenyl, said deodorizer being present in a concentration of at least about 1.2 micrograms per liter of atmosphere.

8. The process of deodorizing fats during rendering comprising adding to said fats a deodorizer consisting essentially of biphenyl said deodorizer being present in amounts of 1 to 3.5 parts per million.

9. The process of deodorizing fats during rendering comprising adding to said fats a deodorizer consisting essentially of biphenyl present in amounts between 0.1 and 99.9 percent based on weight of said deodorizer.

10. A new use for biphenyl, said new use being deodorizing ofiensive odor-emitting material by contacting the offensive odor-emitting material with a composi tion consisting essentially of biphenyl.

11. The new use of claim 10 where said biphenyl is present in a concentration of at least 0.5 part per million of said oflensive odor emitting material.

12. The new use of claim 10 which includes compounding with said biphenyl an emulsifier in amounts of 1-35 weight percent and a solvent in amounts of -85 weight percent, said biphenyl being present in amounts of 15-50 weight percent of the total.

13. The new use of claim 10 which includes incorporating said biphenyl in a deodorant composition consisting essentially of 0.1-99.9 weight percent biphenyl as the sole deodorizing ingredient therein.

References Cited Engineering and Industrial Experiment Station of U. of Florida, Bulletin No. 12, November 1946, p. 48 relied on.

MICHAEL E. ROGERS, Primary Examiner. 

